If you look in the mirror and wish your teeth were whiter, you may be considering getting some kind of whitening treatment. You have two choices, go with one of those do-it-yourself home whiteners or opt for a professional whitening treatment. Sure the former is easier and maybe a little cheaper, but the latter has many advantages to ensure you achieve the results you are seeking. Here are few reasons why seeing your dentist is the better option.

Personal Treatment

Buying one of those drugstore-whitening kits is intended as a one size fits all treatment that may not work as effectively on the particular stains and discoloration of your teeth. The result is often incomplete and uneven. Having a professional whitening treatment ensures that every tooth is evenly brightened and you reach the shade you really want instead of settling with the best a kit can do. The active ingredient in teeth whiteners is hydrogen peroxide and most store bought kits only offer 3% strength at best, while your dentist’s whitening gel can reach as much as 30% strength.

Faster Results

When you seek out a professional whitening treatment, you see quicker results. Your dentist can brighten your smile in as little as one hour. Those kits you buy at the pharmacy won’t show any results for at least 2-4 weeks and there’s still no guarantee that you’ll reach the desired shade of white after all that time. You may need to reapply the gel or strips and wait another couple of weeks to get the results you’re seeking.

Expert Consultation

Seeing your dentist for a professional whitening not only brings faster and superior results, but he or she can also tell you if there is an underlying health problem causing your tooth discoloration. The dentist can examine your teeth before the treatment and identify any issues of which you weren’t aware prior to your visit. This could help prevent any current problems from becoming bigger dental issues that might require expensive treatment or surgery. Teeth can become discolored for any number of reasons, wouldn’t it be good to know why you are having this issue?

Safer Treatment

While there is nothing inherently dangerous in using a home whitening kit, the trays and other materials are mass-produced to be used by all consumers. That could result in discomfort when the trays are in your mouth, which could lead to gum irritation. With a professional whitening, the trays are built specifically for your mouth and your teeth, eliminating irritation and discomfort while also ensuring that each tooth is properly and fully whitened to your desired shade.